Chapter 136: Expansionist Policy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: Expansionist Policy
“… Ha.”
As the exceptionally long dawn finally broke and the morning sun began to cast its subtle radiance from above, the search came to an end.
“I couldn’t find him after all.”
Jill the Ripper, who had been scouring every inch of the park in search of Isaac Adler, slumped onto a bench with a heavy sigh.
“Has he already escaped with that thieving bitch?”
The situation was utterly disappointing.
“Tsk…”
Despite revealing her true power while wearing the guise of the royal princess—the most prestigious identity in her repertoire—she had failed to achieve her objective.
Of course, if today’s gathering had consisted only of insignificant, low-level rabble, it wouldn’t have mattered much. However, there were dozens of eyes observing the situation in silence, watching from the shadows without ever stepping foot into the park.
Among those watchful eyes, some had undoubtedly connected the dots between the princess and the recent sensation: the serial killer known as Jill the Ripper.
“… Can I even cover this up?”
If she moved quickly enough, she might be able to manipulate the British press to spin the narrative in her favor. For instance, she could claim the princess had awakened her special abilities to escape a sudden crisis—a crisis she had stumbled into while taking a casual stroll outside the palace walls.
But that would only fool the gullible public.
The spies from various covert organizations who witnessed today’s incident would report the unvarnished truth to their leaders.
…In the end, my freedom of movement is going to be restricted.
Even if they didn't believe every detail, it would be impossible to stop the rot. Her reputation would plummet, and bizarre rumors would begin to circulate. Ultimately, it was a lose-lose situation.
Did he calculate all of this?
As the situation spiraled, it felt more and more like this was all part of Isaac Adler’s design.
…All this, just to screw me over?
It wasn't just baseless paranoia. No sane individual would send "dating invitations" to every monstrosity lurking in Britain and then casually go for a walk, unless…
Could he have used himself as bait to spring the most dangerous trap in London?
“………”
Jill the Ripper sat on the park bench, the silence broken only by the sound of her grinding her teeth.
“Indeed… you’re good at this battle of wits, Adler…”
After all, who was Isaac Adler? Hadn’t he overcome countless crises using nothing but his quick wits and cunning? No, at this point, "cunning" was an understatement. Isaac Adler was a master strategist and a manipulator, hiding a sinister smile behind a mask of playful innocence.
“Ah…”
The fact that he walked the razor's edge between the detective and the professor, charming them both into submission, proved he was no ordinary man. Why was she only realizing the depth of his depravity now?
Self-deprecating thoughts swirled in her mind, but it was too late for regrets. She needed to focus on the gravity of the present.
Swish…
How could she possibly regain the upper hand after falling so completely into Adler’s trap?
“…….?”
As Jill the Ripper stood up, faint figures began to emerge in the distance.
Grrr… grgrgrgr…
Grrrrrrrr…
“Hurry, find him…! The sun… it’s rising…!!”
The silhouettes belonged to a horde of monstrosities led by Helen Stoner. Like Jill, Helen was scouring the park, commanding the monsters she had brought under her thumb.
“I’ve been confessed to… Ah~ Today marks day one of our everlasting relationship…”
“…Heh.”
Jill the Ripper’s eyes sparkled with renewed interest as she watched the scene.
“Good.”
“…Who’s there?”
“I could use a few more supernatural subordinates.”
She began to stride toward them.
“What…?”
Whoosh…
By then, her mind had already forged a perfect plan to recoup her losses.
“It seems a King of Monsters has been born.”
“I don’t know who you are, but you’re a monster too, aren't you? Then kneel—”
“…I’ll make sure to include you among the allies of Great Britain.”
“What…?”
It was a grand plan based on the principles of Imperial rule, perfectly in line with the expansionist policies of the British Empire—the very doctrines she had been raised on as a member of the Royal Family.
“The colonies are part of the British Empire, after all.”
“………!?”
*
That morning, Londoners heading for their daily walk in the park were puzzled to find their path blocked by a group of profusely sweating Royal Knights.
“Do you know why the sun never sets on the British Empire? Because even when it sets here, it rises over the colonies on the other side of the world.”
“What utter nonsense!!”
“It’s not a joke, it’s the truth. New Zealand has been a colony for decades…”
“Aaaaaahhhh!!!”
Some citizens reported hearing eerie screams echoing from the park to the media, but for reasons unknown, those reports never made it to the morning papers.
.
.
.
.
.
Knock, knock, knock…
That evening, at Isaac Adler’s hideout.
“”……..””
The three subordinates who had allowed their master to be snatched away by the Phantom Thief bowed their heads in silence as the door opened.
“…Interesting.”
Professor Jane Moriarty muttered in a deadpan voice, her eyes sweeping over their sullen faces as she stepped inside.
“You all look pathetic.”
Exuding a chilling aura, she glanced sideways and whispered, “Is there any point in keeping hounds that can’t even protect their master?”
“”…….””
“Think about it.”
Leaving them with those cold words, she strode toward the fireplace, her footsteps making no sound.
Tap, tap…
Whirrr…
As Professor Moriarty reached the wall and tapped a specific spot, gears whirred into action, revealing a hidden door.
“H-How did you even know about that place…?”
“…Hmm.”
Ignoring the flustered voices behind her, she began to descend the stairs into the dark basement.
Creak…
She stopped before a thick iron door. To her surprise, it began to swing open on its own.
“……..”
The view beyond the door met Professor Moriarty’s gaze.
“Greetings.”
“It’s been a while.”
“There’s no time to waste, so I’ll get straight to the point.”
Gazing intently at Mycrony Holmes, who looked gaunt with her hands and feet chained, Jane Moriarty began her interrogation, an ominous chill in her eyes.
“What is your purpose behind orchestrating all of this?”
“I don’t quite understand what you’re talking about.”
Mycrony Holmes tilted her head slightly and replied quietly, “As you can see, I’ve been kidnapped by Isaac Adler, deprived of my freedom, and confined to this basement.”
“……..”
“What kind of scheme could I possibly concoct in a situation like this?”
She shrugged nonchalantly as the Professor stepped closer.
“Indeed, your direct involvement was minimal.”
“…….”
“To be precise, it was a single statement from you that influenced the entire case from the shadows.”
In the heavy silence, their gazes locked. They stood so close that their chests pressed against one another.
“…'Head to the address written on the note, to the Baskerville Estate.'”
“Hehe.”
“That simple, clear statement was the starting point for everything.”
A dark chuckle escaped Mycrony’s lips.
“Did you calculate all this on your own?”
“…….”
“What is your goal?”
Finally, the laughter ceased, and a soft whisper escaped Mycrony's lips.
“…Fine delicacies should be shared.”
“How dare you…”
“Don’t you think so?”
As Professor Moriarty prepared to thrust a blade of grey mana into her neck, Mycrony’s whisper made her freeze.
“…You greedy lizard.”
Outside, a raging thunderstorm began to sweep across the British Isles.
.
.
.
.
.
“….Hmm.”
Meanwhile, at a secluded cottage on the outskirts of Britain.
“It’s raining all of a sudden…”
Isaac Adler, dressed in a bathrobe and holding a glass of wine, muttered worriedly as he watched the storm brew outside the window.
“…Perhaps the Professor is angry again.”
“…Haahaaaa.”
Lupin, lying at his feet and acting as his footstool, pleaded with him.
“C-Could you step a bit harder, please…?”
“…Do temper yourself. You might actually die.”
Her body was already bruised in several places, but she looked up at Adler—who was leisurely sipping his wine—and whispered her request again.
“If you don’t press harder, shall I lock you back in the cape?”
“…Sigh.”
“Ah~…”
Lupin’s moans began to echo through the silent villa.
“……..”
Just then, a shadowy gaze appeared outside the rain-soaked window, staring down Isaac Adler in total silence.
Warning!
– Probability of being Devoured — 100%
“…Yeah, let’s just go back inside.”